Porsche pair consolidates second place in the driver’s classification

The race car driven by the Porsche Young Professional Mathieu Jaminet (France) and Robert Renauer (Germany) crossed the finish line in tenth at Spielberg. With all drivers racing on slicks, a sudden shower shortly after the start caused several spins and collisions on the 4.318-kilometre Red Bull Ring.

Start driver Jaminet took up the race from third on the grid and was able to gain one position at the start. Due to the sudden change of weather, the #99 Porsche 911 GT3 R had to make an additional pit stop to switch to wet tyres. In the ensuring pursuit on the slowly drying racetrack, Jaminet and Renauer worked their way up to tenth place, for which they earned one point towards the championship. “Of all the teams who switched tyres early on, we were the fastest. Unfortunately the strategy didn’t work quite as we’d hoped. But, we still rank second in the standings and we head to the next races feeling confident,” explained Renauer.

KÜS Team75 Bernhard with problems

With the second-best 911 GT3 R, the newcomer squad IronForce by Ring Police finished on 27th. Lucas Luhr from Switzerland and Jan-Erik Slooten from Germany managed to make up six positions over the course of the race.

Driving for KÜS Team75 Bernhard, the former Porsche Junior Klaus Bachler (Austria) and Adrien de Leener (Belgium) concluded the race in 30th after experiencing problems on the wet track and receiving a drive-through penalty. The sister car with the starting number 17 did not reach the flag. “We probably damaged a tyre on the kerb, and that was the end of our race. The Nürburgring suits the Porsche better, so hopefully we’ll do better there,” said Estre.

At round five of the ADAC GT Masters, two Porsche 911 GT3 R made it into the top ten on Saturday. The two-time outright Le Mans winner Timo Bernhard and Kévin Estre concluded the race in Spielberg/Austria in fourth place.

The customer team Precote Herberth Motorsport crossed the finish line in sixth. IronForce by Ring Police earned important points in the Trophy class. Three safety car phases ensured that the field stayed tight over the race distance.

Bernhard (Germany) and Estre (France) launched a spectacular charge through the field in perfect weather conditions and a temperature of 26 degrees Celsius. The #17 Porsche 911 GT3 R fielded by KÜS Team75 Bernhard had taken up the race from eighth on the grid and managed to overtake four competitors. After 36 laps, the race car took the flag in fourth place. “Kévin and I each overtook two cars. I got off the line well at the start and our 911 GT3 R was very fast. This result is the reward for all the team’s hard work,” said Bernhard.

Renauer tackled his 100th race in the ADAC GT Masters

In the 911 GT3 R run by Precote Herberth Motorsport, Robert Renauer tackled his 100th race in the ADAC GT Masters. The German race driver snatched one position at the start and handed the car off to Porsche Young Professional Mathieu Jaminet in fifth place. The Frenchman fought a close battle with his compatriot Estre over several laps on the 4.318-kilometre racetrack. “Robert did a great job during his stint. Once again, our timing at the pit stop was perfect. Towards the end I didn’t quite manage to maintain the pace. We now have to analyse why. But we’ll attack again on Sunday,” declared Jaminet.

ADAC GT Masters – Race 1 is over in Austria. #Porsche #911GT3R No. 17 finished in P4, No. 99 P6, No. 18 P15, No. 69 P25 @gtmasters pic.twitter.com/jKqDgh05Y0

— Porsche Motorsport (@PorscheRaces) 9. Juni 2018

In the second Porsche 911 GT3 R fielded by KÜS Team75 Bernhard, local hero Klaus Bachler (Austria) and Adrien de Leener (Belgium) finished on 15th. Over the course of the 60-minute race, the duo managed to make up a total of twelve positions. “Overtaking wasn’t easy with so many cars out on the track. But thanks to the great balance of our car we were able to push hard. At Sunday’s qualifying I want to secure a grid position up the front. Then we’ll be able to finish further up the field,” said Bachler.

Scoring second place in the Trophy category, Jan-Erik Slooten (Germany) and Lucas Luhr (Germany) collected all-important points in the amateur class. The newcomer team IronForce by Ring Police occupied 25th in the overall rankings. “We made some changes on our Porsche 911 GT3 R before the race. At the start I managed to avoid an accident in front of me. After the driver change, Lucas put in a flawless race. We still have quite a lot of work to do,” explained Slooten.